Sewerage treatment system

ABSTRACT

A sewerage treatment system comprising a water closet, a bathing facility, first and second recirculating tanks each including filtering media for dividing the tanks into horizontally adjacent receptacle and filtrate compartments and a drain in the receptacle compartments thereof, means for selectively directing the effluent flushed from the water closet into the receptacle compartment of either recirculating tank, means for selectively directing the effluent from the bathing facility into either recirculating tank, means for selectively draining either recirculating tank, means for selectively recirculating the liquid in the filtrate compartment of either recirculating tank to the water closet for flushing same, means for operating the system in a first mode of operation wherein the effluent from the water closet is discharged into the receptacle compartment of the first recirculating tank, the liquid in the filtrate compartment of the first recirculating tank is selectively recirculated to the water closet, and the effluent from the bathing facility is discharged into the second recirculating tank, and means for alternately operating the system in a second mode of operation wherein the effluent from the water closet is discharged into the receptacle compartment of the second recirculating tank, the liquid in the filtrate compartment of the second recirculating tank is selectively recirculated to the water closet, and the effluent from the bathing facility is discharged into the first recirculating tank, and means for draining the first recirculating tank and for switching the system from the first mode of operation to the second mode of operation.

United States Patent 91 Delaney et al.

[ June 11, 1974 1 SEWERAGE TREATMENT SYSTEM [73] Assignee:Koehler-Dayton Inc., New Britain,

Conn.

[22] Filed: Nov. 8, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 304,760

Primary Examiner-Roy Lake Assistant Examiner-Paul A. Bell Attorney,Agent, or Firm-Spencer T. Smith 7 1 ABSTRACT A sewerage treatment systemcomprising a water closet, a bathing facility, first and secondrecirculating tanks each including filtering media for dividing thetanks into horizontally adjacent receptacle and filtrate compartmentsand a drain in the receptacle compartments thereof, means forselectively directing the effluent flushed from the water closet intothe recepta-' cle compartment of either recirculating tank, means forselectively directing the effluent from the bathing facility into eitherrecirculating tank, means for selectively draining either recirculatingtank, means for selectively recirculating the liquid in the filtratecompartment of either recirculating tank to the water closet forflushing same, means for operating the system in a first mode ofoperation wherein the effluent from the water closet is discharged intothe receptacle compartment of the first recirculating tank, the liquidin the filtrate compartment of the first recirculating tank isselectively recirculated to the water closet, and the effluent from thebathing facility is discharged into the second recirculating tank, andmeans for alternately operating the system in a second mode of operationwherein the efiluent from the water closet is discharged into thereceptacle compartment of the second recirculating tank, the liquid inthe filtrate compartment of the second recirculating tank is selectivelyrecirculated to the water closet, and the effluent from the bathingfacility is discharged into the first recirculating tank, and means fordraining the first recirculating tank and for switching the system fromthe first mode of operation to the second mode of operation.

10 Claims, 1 Drawing Figure This invention relates to recirculatingsewerage treatment systems wherein the effluent flushed from a watercloset is discharged into a recirculating tank and a part of the liquidportion thereof is treated with odor and color control additives andperiodically recirculated to flush the water closet.

Recirculating waste systems are quite commonly found in mobileenvironments such as aircraft, boats and other installations whereimmediate discharge of the effluent is not practicable. By recirculatingthe liquid portion of the effluent, the necessity of additionallystoring the large quantities of liquid necessary for flushing the watercloset is avoided.

When the receptacle compartment of a recirculating tank havinghorizontally adjacent receptacle and filtrate compartments which areseparated by intermediate vertically extending filtering media isperiodically drained, the liquid in the filtrate compartment flowsthrough and backwashes the filtering media thereby cleansing thefiltering media. Since the liquid in the filtrate compartment is drainedto cleanse the filtering media, additional liquid conventionally has tobe introduced into the recirculating tank subsequent to completedrainage so that sufficient liquid will be available to flush the watercloset.

Such a sewerage treatment system mustaccordingly be taken out of serviceevery time it is drained. Additionally clean water must be pumped intothe recirculating tank to prime the system subsequent to each drainageand where there is no access to a water supply such priming water mustbe stored within the system.

Accordingly it is an object of the present invention to provide arecirculating sewerage treatment system which is continuously operable.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a recirculatingsewerage treatment system wherein pure drinking water is not required toprime thesystem prior to each cycle.

Among the advantages of the present invention is the provision of asewerage treatment system of the recirculating type wherein the graywater of the system, i.e., the effluent from sinks and other drains canbe utilized to periodically prime the recirculating tank.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following portion of this specification and from theaccompanying drawing which illustrates in accord with the mandate of thepatent statutes a presently preferred embodiment incorporating theprinciples of the invention.

Referring to the drawing:

The sole drawing is a diagrammatic representation of the seweragetreatment system made in accordance with the teachings of the presentinvention.

The recirculating sewerage system includes one or more water closetswhich may be either toilets or urinals, a first recirculating tank 12having horizontally adjacent receptacle l4 and filtrate 16 compartmentswhich are separated by vertically extending filtering media 18, astorage tank 20, an incinerator 22, a bathing facility 24 which may beeither one or a plurality of basins, drains, shower cabinets, bathtubsor the like, a second recirculating tank 12' having horizontallyadjacent receptacle 14" and filtrate l6 compartments which are separatedby vertically extending filtering media 18, a reservoir of makeup liquid34 which may, if the system is installed in a ship, be the sea itself, aflush pump 36, a plurality of selectively actuatable valves 38, 38, 40,40, 42, 42, 44, 44', 46, 48, 48, and 50, sensors 60, 61 for sensing thefluid level in the recirculating tanks and a master valve control center62 for selectively actuating these valves.

In operation valve water closet drain valve 38, recirculating tankrecirculation valve 40 and bathing facility drain valve 42 are initiallyopened and the remaining valves are closed. Makeup liquid is dischargedfrom the reservoir 34 through a makeup liquid control valve 48 into thefirst recirculating tank 12 in order that liquid will be available forflushing the water closet 10. This level will vary with existing serviceconditions (peak passenger loading would naturally require a higherliquid prime level than would be required for minimum passenger loading)and is preferably predetermined so as to satisfy all service conditions(approximately 50 percent full) when this predetermined level is sensedby sensor valve control center 62 closes this makeup liquid controlvalve. The system is then operational. Utilization of the water closet10 results in the flush pump 36 being energized and liquid from thefiltrate compartment 16 of the first recirculating tank being pumpedunder pressure into the water closet l0 flushing same. The flushedeffluent is discharged into the receptacle compartment 14 of thisrecirculating tank 12 and a portion of the liquid effluent filtersthroughthe filtering media into the filtrate compartment 16. If desired,odor and color control additives can be selectively discharged from asuitable reservoir 52 through a selectively actuatable additive controlvalve 50 into this recirculated liquid stream. The effluent from thebathing facility 24 is discharged through the gray water control valve42' into the second recirculating tank 12' where it is temporarilycollected.

While this recirculation process is in operation, all the plumbing drainwater throughout the vessel, including sink drains, shower drains, waterused in the food concession areas, and the like is collected in thesecond recirculating tank 12. Since the only volume added to the firsttank which receives the waste from the water closets is human waste,there is a relatively slow increase in volume. On the other hand, thevolume contained by the second recirculating tank which receives theplumbing drain water normally increases at a much higher rate. When thesecond recirculating tank 12 is filled to the above-discussedpredetermined level (preferably approximately 50 percent full), thesensor 60' activates conventional valve control means 62. Recirculatingtank drain valve 44 is opened and the first recirculating tank iscompletely drained into a storage tank 20. Concurrently therewith valves38, 40 and 42' are closed and valves 38, 40' and 42 are opened.Recirculating tank drain valve 44 is again closed after therecirculating tank has been completely drained. The two recirculatingtanks areaccordingly concurrently switched in operation and the systemis thereby continuously operable. The second recirculating tank 12receives the waste from the water closets and urinals and the firstrecirculating tank 12 starts to accummulate the plumbing drain or graywater for the next cycle of operation.

In the unusual event that the waste receiving recirculating tank isfilled up prior to a liquid level being reached in the gray waterreceiving receptacle tank which will be sensed by sensor 60 to switchthe mode of operation of the two recirculating tanks, sensor 61 willsense that the waste receiving tank is filled and control center 62 willopen makeup water valve 48 until enough makeup water has been introducedinto the gray water recirculating tank to raise the liquid level thereinto the predetermined level (50 percent) whereby the waste receivingrecirculating tank will be drained and the mode of operation of the tworecirculating tanks will be reversed.

Periodically, storage tank control valve 46 is opened and the storagetank 20 is emptied into the incinerator 22 where the burning of wastetakes place. A sanitary hygienically clean ash is produced which iseasily removed at the base of the incinerator either by sweeping it intoa container or by picking it up with a vacuum machine.

The system will continue to periodically switch from the first mode ofoperation to the second mode of operation and from the second mode ofoperation to the first mode of operation as the sensor 60, 60 which isassociated with the particular recirculating tank 12, 12' which is atthe moment receiving the gray water from the bathing facilities 24senses a predetermined fluid level in that recirculating tank.

While in the preferred embodiment the grey water is discharged into thereceptacle compartments l4, 14 of the recirculating tanks it may bealternatively discharged into the filtrate compartments 16, 16 as shownin dotted lines above the recirculating tanks. Having thus described ourinvention, we claim: 1. A sewerage treatment system comprising watercloset means,

bathing facility means, first and second recirculating tanks eachincluding filtering media for dividing said tanks into horizontallyadjacent receptacle and filtrate compartments and drain means in thereceptacle compartments thereof, 1

means for selectively directing the effluent flushed from said watercloset means into the receptacle compartment of either of said first orsecond recirculating tanks,

means for selectively directing the effluent from said bathing facilitymeans into either of said first or second recirculating tanks,

means for selectively draining either of said first vor secondrecirculating tanks,

means for selectively recirculating the liquid in the filtratecompartment of either of said first or second recirculating tanks tosaid water closet means for flushing same,

means for operating the system in a first mode of operation wherein theeffluent from said water closet means is discharged into the receptaclecompartment of one of said recirculating tanks,

the liquid in the filtrate compartment of said one recirculating tank isselectively recirculated to said water closet means, and

the effluent from said bathing facility means is discharged into theother one of said recirculating tanks, and

means for alternately operating the system in a second mode of operationwherein the effluent from said water closet means is discharged into thereceptacle compartment of said other recirculating tank,

the liquid in the filtrate compartment of said other recirculating tankis selectively recirculated to said water closet means, and

the effluent from said bathing facility means is discharged into saidone recirculating tank, and

means for draining said first recirculating tank and for switching thesystem from said first mode of operation to said second mode ofoperation when a selected liquid level is reached in said otherrecirculating tank.

2. A sewerage treatment system according to claim 1, further comprisingmeans for draining said other recirculating tank and for switching thesystem from said second mode of operation to said first mode ofoperation when said selected liquid level is reached in said onerecirculating tank.

3. A sewerage treatment system according to claim 1, further comprisingmeans for sensing when the liquid level in said other recirculating tankreaches said selected level when the system is operating in said firstmode of operation and draining said first recirculating tank and forswitching the system from said first mode of operation to said secondmode of operation.

4. A sewerage treatment system according to claim 3, further comprisingmeans for sensing when the liquid level in said one recirculating tankreaches said selectedv level when the system is operating in said secondmode of operation and for draining said second recirculating tank andfor switching the system from said second to said first mode ofoperation.

5. A sewerage treatment system according to claim 1, wherein said watercloset means comprises a plurality of toilets and/or urinals.

6. A sewerage treatment system according to claim 1, wherein saidbathing apparatus means comprises a plurality of sinks and/or liquiddrains. 1

7 A sewerage treatment system according to claim 1 further comprisingholding tank means,

. means for directing the drainage from said recirculating tanks intosaid holding tank means.

8. A sewerage treatment system according to claim 3, further comprisinga source of makeup water and means for selectively introducing at leasta portion thereof into either of said first or said second recirculatingtanks.

9. A sewerage treatment system according to claim 8, further comprisingsecond means for sensing when the fluid level in said one recirculatingtank during the first mode of operation substantially reaches the topthereof and for actuating said introducing means until the liquid levelin said other recirculating tank reaches said selected level.

10. A sewerage treatment system according to claim 1, further comprisinga source of odor and/or color control additives and means forselectively introducing a portion thereof into the system.

1. A sewerage treatment system comprising water closet means, bathingfacility means, first and second recirculating tanks each includingfiltering media for dividing said tanks into horizontally adjacentreceptacle and filtrate compartments and drain means in the receptaclecompartments thereof, means for selectively directing the effluentflushed from said water closet means into the receptacle compartment ofeither of said first or second recirculating tanks, means forselectively directing the effluent from said bathing facility means intoeither of said first or second recirculating tanks, means forselectively draining either of said first or second recirculating tanks,means for selectively recirculating the liquid in the filtratecompartment of either of said first or second recirculating tanks tosaid water closet means for flushing same, means for operating thesystem in a first mode of operation wherein the effluent from said watercloset means is discharged into the receptacle compartment of one ofsaid recirculating tanks, the liquid in the filtrate compartment of saidone recirculating tank is selectively recirculated to said Water closetmeans, and the effluent from said bathing facility means is dischargedinto the other one of said recirculating tanks, and means foralternately operating the system in a second mode of operation whereinthe effluent from said water closet means is discharged into thereceptacle compartment of said other recirculating tank, the liquid inthe filtrate compartment of said other recirculating tank is selectivelyrecirculated to said water closet means, and the effluent from saidbathing facility means is discharged into said one recirculating tank,and means for draining said first recirculating tank and for switchingthe system from said first mode of operation to said second mode ofoperation when a selected liquid level is reached in said otherrecirculating tank.
 2. A sewerage treatment system according to claim 1,further comprising means for draining said other recirculating tank andfor switching the system from said second mode of operation to saidfirst mode of operation when said selected liquid level is reached insaid one recirculating tank.
 3. A sewerage treatment system according toclaim 1, further comprising means for sensing when the liquid level insaid other recirculating tank reaches said selected level when thesystem is operating in said first mode of operation and draining saidfirst recirculating tank and for switching the system from said firstmode of operation to said second mode of operation.
 4. A seweragetreatment system according to claim 3, further comprising means forsensing when the liquid level in said one recirculating tank reachessaid selected level when the system is operating in said second mode ofoperation and for draining said second recirculating tank and forswitching the system from said second to said first mode of operation.5. A sewerage treatment system according to claim 1, wherein said watercloset means comprises a plurality of toilets and/or urinals.
 6. Asewerage treatment system according to claim 1, wherein said bathingapparatus means comprises a plurality of sinks and/or liquid drains. 7.A sewerage treatment system according to claim 1 further comprisingholding tank means, means for directing the drainage from saidrecirculating tanks into said holding tank means.
 8. A seweragetreatment system according to claim 3, further comprising a source ofmakeup water and means for selectively introducing at least a portionthereof into either of said first or said second recirculating tanks. 9.A sewerage treatment system according to claim 8, further comprisingsecond means for sensing when the fluid level in said one recirculatingtank during the first mode of operation substantially reaches the topthereof and for actuating said introducing means until the liquid levelin said other recirculating tank reaches said selected level.
 10. Asewerage treatment system according to claim 1, further comprising asource of odor and/or color control additives and means for selectivelyintroducing a portion thereof into the system.